Reviews by Genre
Movie Reviews by Genre
The A-Team Review
This is the story about a spirited team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. They use their special talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: December 14, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Excessive
Crude or Profane Language: Excessive
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Moderate
Talking Points:
This movie is based on a TV series, which I have never seen. Though I read, “Like the TV show, the movie focuses on friendship and camaraderie among soldiers who would risk their lives for one another.” The A-Team’s friendship is what I liked best about the movie, they were best friends, and believed in each other. The characters were very likable, so was Bradley Cooper….good eye candy.
Sexual Content: Moderate
Face (Bradley Cooper), passionately kisses several women; his ex-girlfriend, some strangers, and even married women, which didn’t seem to bother him.
Violent Content: Excessive
Many people are shot at, held at gunpoint and brutally beaten. This will bother younger kids.
Profanity: Excessive
There was a lot of profanity throughout the whole movie.
This is a PG13 action packed, adventure movie. I saw this movie with my husband, and my two sons, ages 12 and 10. I didn’t particularly like this movie. At one point I closed my eyes, and I thought this is a one bucket movie, but then I gradually started to like it. After the movie my husband said he loved it, he thought it was a great movie for teenage boys and their dads. My twelve year old son liked it a lot, and my 10 year old son thought it was okay, he got a little confused. After hearing their comments, I decided to give it three out of five buckets.
I recommend this movie for teenage boys and their dads, I recommend the mom’s stay home!
Oblivion-Teen Movie Review
Earth was destroyed by an alien race, and Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) is the caretaker. However things get complicated when an unexpected traveler arrives, which causes Jack not only to question his mission, but also himself. Oblivion is a sci/fi futuristic film, one that mature teenagers will most likely enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: April 19, 2013
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 14+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The cast of the film were wonderful and captivating! With Tom Cruise as Jack Harper and Olga Kurylenko (whom I wasn’t familiar with) as Jack’s wife; both interesting characters. Morgan Freeman also starred in the movie, another intriguing character.
For the most part, the film was appropriate, however there was a lot of violence, however, the battles were mostly with Tom Cruise and mechanical drones.
Teenagers will most likely enjoy the film, though it was a little slow and confusing in parts; which may not appeal to tweens and younger kids.
Sexual Content: Mild
- We saw a naked woman, from the back side only.
- It’s implied that Jack and two different women were sexually involved.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There were gun shots and explosions throughout the film, however it mostly involved Jack and drones.
- A character was shot in the stomach, and her shirt was covered with blood.
- We saw a gun pointed at a character’s head.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The f-word was said once. We also heard, “sh-t,” “b–ch,” and “h—,” throughout the film.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We saw a character smoking a cigar.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- Teenagers that like futuristic sci/fi movies will most likely enjoy this film. I interviewed five high school students from a Charter Academy. They said the film was, “awesome.”
Overall this is an appropriate film for teenagers; 14 and up. Parents need to be aware of the violent content and some profane language.
Princess and the Frog Review
“Princess and the Frog” is set in the city of New Orleans in the 1920’s. The movie is about a young hard working girl, Tiana, who wants to fulfill her and her late father’s life long dream of someday opening their own restaurant. However, when she encounter’s the lazy, but charming, Prince Naveen, they magically turn into frogs. Tiana and the Prince have many adventures and meet a lot of fun characters, as they seek help to become human once again.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: March 16, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: Any age
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
The movie has a lot of laughs and great messages. The film emphasizes the value of love over material wealth, and Tiana continually stresses throughout the movie that you get what you want from hard work and perseverance. She say’s, “Wish and dream with your heart, set your mind to it, you can do anything.”
The music was phenomenal. Very catchy jazz and gospel tunes. All the original music on this film was done by Randy Newman, who has done most of Pixar films for Disney.
I think most adults will enjoy the movie. It was fun to see the 1920’s New Orleans setting, Mississippi steamboats, and wonderful bayou’s.
Tiana, is the first African American Disney Princess. The movie lightly touches on social and racial divisions of the time.
The characters are very entertaining. There’s Charlotte, Tiana’s best friend, who’s a very spoiled wealthy girl, only wanting to marry a Prince. Then there’s a trumpet playing alligator and a lovesick Cajun lightening bug. They add a lot of humor and wonderful music to the movie.
The animation was colorful and well-done.
I have 2 negative comments; it’s a little long, 1 hour and 35 minutes, though the music should keep the kids attention.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Innocent flirting and smooching.
Violent Content: Mild
- There are images of evil spirits and fire-breathing masks, that may scare younger kids.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- “Heck” and “dang” are used.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine and champagne.
I brought my 10 year old son, who thought it was okay, and my two nieces. My 16 year old niece thought it was a sweet Disney movie, okay to watch, while my 6 year old niece said, “It was good.” My sister-law also liked it, and really enjoyed the music, and the New Orleans setting, as most adults will.
Overall it’s a fun, entertaining movie for all ages. I’m giving it 4 buckets!!!!!
Pitch Perfect-Teen Movie Review
Beca(Anna Kendrick) is a freshman at Barden University; she doesn’t love college, she doesn’t try to fit in, but what she does want to do…is move to Los Angeles!!! However, things change when she’s persuaded to join The Bellas, an all-girls a cappella group. Now Beca takes this traditional, somewhat boring singing group, and adds a contemporary flare, which sets them apart from their rivals. Pitch Perfect is a comedy musical; it’s a fun entertaining movie!!!
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Rating: 4 out of 5 buckets
Release Date: December 18, 2012
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 12+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Mild
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Will Kids Like It? Yes
Talking Points:
The a cappella group is filled with a bunch of misfit girls. It was nice to see the girls accept one another and learn how to work together. Great parent/child conversation.
The movie is predictable and sappy, though cute and entertaining.
The music and talent of the young men and women in the film was amazing. They had wonderful voices!!!
Sexual Content: Moderate
- There are some suggestive dance moves as one girl touches her privates while dancing.
- In a singing contest, one group is asked to sing songs about sex.
- Initially Beca was asked to join the group while she was in the shower, the other girl was in the shower too. We only saw their shoulders and backs.
- Three girls were kicked out of the group for sleeping with their rival boys group.
- There were sexual references made throughout the film.
Violent Content: Mild
- After a competition, The Bella’s got into a fight with another singing group. One character is hit in the face and crotch.
Crude or Profane Language: Moderate
- The s-word is said about 6 times, we also hear other words such as; “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n” and “h–l,” are said.
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
- We see college students drinking at a party, it’s obvious that some are drunk.
Will Kids Like It? Yes
- Fans of Glee and other movies of this genre, will enjoy this film.
Overall this is an entertaining film. Parents need to be aware of the moderate sexual content. Depending on the kid, I recommend this film for girls ages 12 and up.
Pink Panther 2- Family Movie Review
Pink Panther 2 is a sequel to the 2006 comedy “Pink Panther.” When the film begins Inspector Clouseau is a parking meter attendant. But when the legendary Pink Panther diamond is stolen, along with artifacts from all over the world, the chief inspector assembles an international dream team to track down the thief and recover the missing artifacts. Clouseau is added to this team as the French detective. With his physical gags, and French accent, he adds excitement and humor to the team.
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Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date:
MPAA Rating: PG
Best Age Group: 9+
Sexual Content: Moderate
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
Funny, mild entertainment.
I interviewed kids ages 7 to 10. They all loved the movie, and thought it was very funny. My kids loved it as well.
The cast is filled with many talented actors and comedians.
I interviewed a few mom’s who thought it was inappropriate because of the sexual components of the movie.
Sexual Content: Moderate
- A women police dept. therapist meets with Clouseau to discuss proper sexual conduct in the workplace, which then trigers improper conduct. Clouseau makes suggestive statements to the therapist as well as other women. He says to his assistant, “ You’re like a brother to me, a hot sexy brother in a dress”.
- Women wear low cut outfits.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There’s a lot of slapstick, silly violence.
- There is some serious violence. For example, one character is found dead on the floor.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- One character says the a-word.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Characters drink wine.
If you like slapstick humor, you will find the movie entertaining.
Good for kids ages 9 to early teens.